Santa Catarina de Alexandria Church

Santa Catarina de Alexandria Church

Founded: 1510Â Â Â Â Feast: 25th November

History: The Cathedral of Goa originated from a little chapel dedicated to St. Catherine built in 1510 and enlarged in 1511. A new church was completed in 1531. When Goa became a Diocese in 1533, the Church of St. Catherine was raised to the rank of Cathedral and then to Metropolitan Archiepiscopal See in 1558. The Cathedral, the largest Christian Temple in the East was completed in 1631. Its principal architect was Julio Simao. One of the bell towers collapsed in 1775.

Architectural notes:

• Mannerist Neo-Roman style, Hall church
• Large size, 5 bays x 4 storeys
• Sequence of Arch-Rectangle-Oculus-Niche
• Façade crowned by pediment
• Single bell tower with ball finials
• Rollwerk cartouche adorns portals flanked by engaged Corinthianized columns

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